"Any violation of Kosovo's security also constitutes a violation of Albania's security," says Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha.
In a statement to TCH, the Albanian minister underlined that peace and stability in Kosovo are a common international priority and that Albania remains determined in its support for Kosovo in all circumstances.
"Precisely for this reason, every development on the ground must be seen in this context: Kosovo is not alone and peace in it is a common international priority. We have said it and we will repeat it: every violation of Kosovo's security also constitutes a violation of Albania's security," he said.
Minister Ferit Hoxha's full reaction:
Albania has chosen not to react publicly to the repeated statements by the highest authorities in Serbia, including President Vučić. However, I want to be very clear and thank you for giving me this opportunity:
First, the claims about a so-called “tripartite alliance” against Serbia are untrue and completely exaggerated. No matter how forcefully or repeatedly this is mentioned, it does not make it true. Albania is not part of any regional alliance or otherwise directed against any country in the region. We share the same approach with other regional partners and allies, including Croatia, on this issue. The only alliance Albania is part of is the Atlantic Alliance, NATO, together with Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and other allied countries, which has its doors open to Serbia as well.
Our foreign policy is based on cooperation, good neighborliness and European integration of the region. In this context, any cooperation with our partners aims at strengthening stability and security, as well as supporting the Republic of Kosovo on its Euro-Atlantic path – not against anyone and even less against Serbia. This is a sovereign choice of the institutions and citizens of Kosovo, and Albania is ready to support it in a constructive and continuous manner.
Secondly, Albania has consciously chosen not to fall into the logic of unnecessary rhetoric and, even less, that of escalation. It is easy to engage in a clash of statements, but clarity in positions and consistency in policies are more important. We speak through our concrete engagement in NATO, in the Berlin Process and in any initiative, regional or broader, that aims at stability, security and development of the region. We have made these positions clear to our interlocutors from Serbia and we will continue to do so with calm, prudence and patience.
Third, it is important to understand that such narratives are often used for internal discussions or to justify certain policies. Albania cannot and should not become part of this discourse, which does not serve peace, trust and cooperation in the region. On the contrary, we believe that transparency, regional cooperation and respect for international commitments are the only way to build sustainable security.
At the same time, while unconditionally supporting Kosovo, its development and modernization, and the advancement of Kosovo and the entire region on the Euro-Atlantic path, Albania remains committed to developing normal and constructive relations with Serbia. This is in full accordance with our principled positions and part of a broader vision for a region that, if it does not forget the past, makes every effort to overcome it through dialogue, cooperation and European integration. The tragic past of the Balkans is a lesson for all; the common European future is, in our judgment, should be the only guide.
Albania remains steadfast in its strategic orientation: a stable, secure and integrated region in the European Union. For this reason, we will continue to act responsibly, prudently and in full coordination with our international partners, not being diverted from our path by statements that do not reflect reality, but actively contributing to long-term peace, stability and security in the region.
Let me take it a little further because I don't want to create the wrong impression that we are inattentive or, to put it mildly, indifferent. Not at all.
It is important to clearly separate facts from perceptions. It is true that Serbia has increased its military capabilities and has developed cooperation in this field with various actors, including Russia and China. This is its sovereign choice. This does not go unnoticed, neither here, nor in Brussels and, I would like to believe, nor in Washington. But at the same time, this should not be used to create a climate of alarm or to justify unnecessary escalations in the region.
For years, if not decades now, Albania has not based its security and that of the region on rhetoric or “boldness”, but on a concrete security architecture. We are a NATO member country, part of the most powerful security alliance in the world, and every development in the region is seen and addressed in this framework. This is the strongest guarantee for peace and stability.
Regarding the Republic of Kosovo, I do not believe that any additional comment is needed as our position is well known and clear: Albania strongly and unequivocally supports its sovereignty and territorial integrity and we condemn any action or rhetoric that undermines stability in the north or elsewhere. But it is equally important to maintain calm, avoid provocations and move forward through dialogue facilitated by the European Union.
Let us not forget: KFOR is in Kosovo not for tourism or to draft reports from afar, but as a key instrument of international security, deployed there precisely to guarantee and consolidate peace and stability on the ground. KFOR's presence is a concrete guarantee of security, not only for Kosovo's institutions, but for all its citizens, without distinction. It acts in close coordination with the Kosovo authorities and international partners, to prevent the escalation of tensions and to react rapidly to any potential danger.
In this context, the role of KFOR is also essential as a preventive factor against any action that could undermine stability in northern Kosovo or beyond. Its presence is a clear message that security in Kosovo and the region is not left in a vacuum, but is supported by a strong international security architecture, where NATO and allies play an irreplaceable role.
Precisely for this reason, every development on the ground must be seen in this context: Kosovo is not alone and peace in it is a shared international priority. We have said it and we will repeat it: any violation of Kosovo's security also constitutes a violation of Albania's security.
The response to any trend towards militarization is not to imitate it in an uncontrolled manner, but to strengthen cooperation with allies, increase our defense capacities in a responsible manner, and invest in long-term stability. Albania is doing exactly this. As a normal part of the country's development, Albania is also developing its defense industry, in close cooperation with partner and allied countries. In fact, this was one of the focuses of Prime Minister Rama's recent visit to Italy. Also, just two days ago, we held in Brussels the second round of the high-level dialogue within the framework of the defense and security partnership with the European Union.
Albania is negotiating for EU membership and, in this context, has been a valuable partner for the European Union in the field of peace, security and defense for years, as well as an active participant in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), contributing concretely to its missions and operations, in the service of regional and international stability and in strengthening the European security architecture.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that peace is not weakness and calm is not a lack of reaction. On the contrary, it is a strategic choice. Albania will not become part of the rhetoric that fuels tensions, but will continue to be a factor of stability, acting with prudence, in full coordination with allies and with a clear focus: security, peace and the European future of the region.
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